Madison — Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp on Tuesday defended Gov. Scott Walker's plan to turn the Natural Resources Board into an advisory panel, instead of one that makes policy, even as she acknowledged she had not been consulted on the proposal in advance.

"I feel that it's extra layers," Stepp said of the board in a briefing to the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee. "I think it's duplicative."

The idea has sparked opposition from Democrats as well as some of Walker's fellow Republicans. Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) said he had "some concerns" about the plan.(48)

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp., then so is chief executive Michael Koss, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

In a suit filed last week, the bank argues that if a jury finds Park Bank liable for the loss, then Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, the firm's former auditor, should have to pay some of the award.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," Park Bank wrote in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss in this case those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(1)

Dalembert, Henson now at back of line

Troy, Mich. - Samuel Dalembert and John Henson both were in the starting lineup at certain points this season.

But both players are sitting more and playing less as Bucks coach Scott Skiles has refined a playing rotation with the return of Beno Udrih and Mike Dunleavy from injuries.

Larry Sanders is starting - and thriving - at the center spot. Witness his 16 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in the Bucks' 104-85 victory over Miami on Saturday night. Ekpe Udoh is getting most of the backup minutes at center.

At power forward, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is starting and playing well and Ersan Ilyasova is getting minutes off the bench.

"There's a lot of big guys," Skiles said in comments Saturday before the Miami game. "I don't know if we can go 7-3 in our next 10 like we just did in our last 10.

"If we continue to win games, he (Dalembert) is in a tough spot. Larry's been really productive. Ekpe does a nice job. Luc came back and we're still in a bit of a search to have Ersan be consistent. It's hard to play five or six big guys in one game."

Dalembert has not played due to coach's decision in the last eight games.

Henson, the rookie power forward/center from North Carolina and 14th overall pick in the June draft, was put in the starting lineup in Chicago on Nov. 26 and stayed there for five games.

But Skiles inserted Sanders as a starter on Dec. 5 at San Antonio and the third-year pro has responded.

That has meant fewer opportunities for Henson. Since returning to a bench role, Henson has not played in four games and has a total of 35 minutes in eight other games. And 13 of those minutes came in a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

"We've had a chance to have a couple pretty spirited practices recently and he's played good in those practices," Skiles said. "We feel like he's making progress.

"He had such an eye-popping game that night (in Miami) that I started him right away, and he wasn't ready for that. Unfortunately now he's been kind of out of the rotation. He's just got to keep working, work his way back in there."

The Bucks (16-12) play in Auburn Hills, Mich., on Sunday night to complete the calendar year. They have a chance to go five games over. 500 by beating Detroit, which has won three of its last four games.

Following Saturday's game Skiles was asked if the Bucks' victory over Miami was a "signature win," coming against the defending league champion.

"This win is only good if we win (Sunday night)," Skiles said. "Otherwise it's just another win. You can't play very well against the Heat and then not show up (Sunday). You've got to follow it up with another good effort."